Batt Takes Charge at Kentucky

Kentucky’s athletic department just got a major upgrade with the hiring of J. Batt, the former Michigan State AD, who’s signing a six-year deal and also taking the reins of their for-profit arm, Champions Blue. Batt, a seasoned SEC insider with stops at Alabama, Georgia Tech, and Michigan State, brings bold leadership — most notably firing Michigan State’s football coach and hiring Pat Fitzgerald. His arrival coincides with Kentucky’s own new football hire, Will Stein, marking a fresh start for the Wildcats. Batt’s stepping into the role vacated by Mitch Barnhart, the longest-serving SEC AD, and will be tasked with guiding Kentucky through a pivotal era — all while leaving behind the legacy of his own controversial coaching move at Michigan State. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/2cdb8be09325fbba